General Information
Application for a Schengen Visa
A visa issued by a Schengen country allows free travel within the Schengen area if not stated otherwise in the visa. The Schengen countries are: Austria, Belgium,Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, The Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain and Sweden.
The maximum period of stay allowed is 90 days within six months, with one or multiple entries.
1. The Competent Visa Office:
The Consulate General of the country of your main destination should issue your visa. If you visit more than one Schengen country and the main destination cannot be determined, please submit your application at the Consulate General of the country of first entry.
2. Visa Application:
Please complete the application form and attach one recent photograph as well as the documents required. The application must be signed and submitted in person.
Processing Time and Fees: In general, visa processing procedures for short stay visas should not exceed 5 working days but may vary in individual cases.
The fee for a Schengen visa is payable in HKD and must be settled upon application. Fees are non-refundable. Payment must be made in cash, although some Consulates accept credit cards or other means of payment. For further details please contact the Consulate concerned.
For holders of a Hong Kong S.A.R., Macao S.A.R. passport and BN(O) passport: visa-free entry for Schengen countries up to 90 days.
If you are a holder of a Document of Identity (DI) and intend to go to Austria you need to apply for a Schengen visa.
A. Documents required for your Schengen visa application
in general:
- Application form, duly completed and signed plus 2 recent photographs
- Passport or travel document, valid for at least 6 months; Hong Kong stay permit valid for at least another 3 months after the expiry date of your requested Schengen visa (if you do not have a permanent HKID card)
in addition:
1. for your short-term tourist trip to the Schengen area:
- Confirmed hotel booking
- Proof of sufficient financial means (e.g. recent bank book, recent bank statement or fixed deposit statement, salary statement by the employer)
- Letter from your employer confirming your leave, if applicable
- Student identification, if applicable
- Travel medical insurance (minimum coverage € 30.000,00 and valid for the entire Schengen area for the duration of your stay)
- Confirmed round trip airline ticket
- Birth certificate, if you are less than 18 years of age. Both parents or legal guardians have to give their written consent
2. for your business trip:
- Invitation letter of the Austrian inviting company (original)
- Guarantee letter from the Austrian inviting company (original)
- Copy of the Austrian company registrar
- Travel medical insurance (minimum coverage € 30.000,00 and valid for the entire Schengen area for the duration of your stay)
3. for your private visit:
- Guarantee letter from the inviting person in Austria
- Passport copy of the inviting person
- Statement of income of the inviting person
- Letter from your employer confirming your leave, if applicable
- Travel medical insurance (minimum coverage € 30.000,00 and valid for the entire Schengen area for the duration of your stay)
4. for your transit visa:
- Copy of the entry visa of the country of destination
- Travel medical insurance (minimum coverage € 30.000,00 and valid for the entire Schengen area for the duration of your stay)
- Copy of airline/train tickets etc.
Further documents may be requested in individual cases.
B. National Austrian visa (study, short-term work):
For the purpose of short-term study or work in Austria, a national Austrian visa may be issued which allows you to stay in Austria between 3 and 6 months and in the Schengen area up to 90 days, when a residence permit is not required.
Documents required:
- Application form, duly completed and signed plus 2 recent photographs
- Passport or travel document, valid for at least 6 months; Hong Kong stay permit valid for at least another 3 months after the expiry date of your requested Schengen visa (if you do not have a permanent HK ID card)
- Supporting letter of the university in Hong Kong or Macao, if applicable
- Letter of acceptance by the Austrian university or school, if applicable
- Work contract with the Austrian company, if applicable
- Permission of the Austrian labour department, if applicable
- Proof of accomodation in Austria
- Travel medical insurance (minimum coverage € 30.000,00 and valid for the entire Schengen area for the duration of your stay)
- Consular fees (Schengen Visa A and C EURO 60,00; National Visa D EURO 100,00) are payable in HKD.
Further documents may be requested in individual cases.
Please note that the duration of a visa cannot be extended in Austria.
